Cat saved using dog blood
Rory with owner Kim and vet Kate
An emergency transfusion of dog blood has successfully saved the life of a poisoned cat in Tauranga, New Zealand.
Young vet Kate Heller of Tauranga Vets, was unable to access out-of-hours laboratory services to confirm the animal's blood type, so took the unusual step of carrying out a transfusion using dog blood.
Kate determined that it was 90 per cent certain that the cat, Rory, was suffering from primary or secondary anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning.
He had internal bleeding into his abdomen and around the sclera of one eye, severe anaemia and was struggling to breathe.
"It was clear we didn't have enough time to get Rory’s blood typed and find another cat with a blood match," said Kate. "The only option was blood from a dog. I felt if there was a chance to save him, we should try to see if we could find a dog and make it happen."
Neil Marshall, from the Companion Animal Blood Bank in Palmerston North (400 kilometres from Tauranga Vets), advised Kate on the procedure.
Eighteen-month-old black labrador Macie was rushed in for the transfusion, donating 120ml of blood. It was expected that Rory would become feverish and jaundiced as the canine red blood cells were broken down, but the procedure allowed time for Rory's body to regenerate new red blood cells.
"Inter-species blood transfusions are not common, nor recommended," says Kate. "It's not something we've done before, but it was one of those emergency situations where we didn't have any other options available.
"While the transfusion was not without risk, the owners were aware of what was involved and that Rory would die without it."
Rory's owner, Kim Edwards, says he is recovering well. "He has been completely fine. He's more alive and active if anything," she says.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
